Israeli PM Netanyahu with freshly baked matzah. Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO.

KFAR CHABAD – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to bake some Passover matzah on Tuesday for the first time when he visited a matzah bakery in Kfar Chabad ahead of the upcoming Passover holiday.

Local Chabad leaders and rabbis briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu on the preparations underway to hold Passover seders in approximately 250 Chabad houses throughout Israel as well as approximately 3,000 Chabad houses across the world. They also gave him a tour of the matzah factory and instructed him on how to properly bake the matzah.

The Israeli PM noted himself that, “At home, I have eaten Chabad-made matzah for years. Today, for the first time, I am also preparing it myself. I will get to eat the matzah that I have baked this coming Passover and that’s quite moving for me.”

Chabad leaders told Netanyahu that eating the matzah – the traditional unleavened bread eaten on Passover – expresses the belief that the Jewish People can withstand any pressure and asked that he continue to stand up for the freedom of the State of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, citing the Passover Haggadah, added that “In every generation enemies rise up to destroy us but G-d saves us from them. The haggadah mentions four sons – wise, wicked, simple and the one who does not know how to ask – but each one has a Jewish spark and you watch over this Jewish spark.”

He also added that he was looking forward to the Passover holiday, which begins on Monday night, April 14. “I am very excited. I wish the entire Jewish People a Happy Passover.”